An MP who is noted for his pro-Russian views and quizzes ministers about our nuclear weapons inventory and the location of submarine bases is an obvious target for foreign intelligence services. He’s even an MP for Portsmouth, where what’s left of our Navy is based.

Why didn’t alarm bells ring with the Commons vetting officials who cleared his young Russian friend to have a pass which gave her access to the corridors of power for more than two years? It wasn’t until the summer, when the US spy scandal involving former London bank worker Anna Chapman emerged, that our own security services seem to have acted.

Even then it has taken another four months for Miss Zatuliveter to be detained and then lined up for deportation.

The Daily Express does not know what evidence MI5 may or may not have and we don’t really care. When the security of our country is at stake we must always err on the side of caution.